14125 Steve Harper Interviews Becky Ringler Owner and Founder of Simple Kona Beach Weddings

Broadcasting from the business capital of the world. This is the Podcast Business News Network.

And welcome back, everybody. Many of us have dreams for our lives, especially that dream of the right person coming along. And then that dream of how are you going to start your life with them? Where's it going to be? Maybe a dream wedding? We're going to talk about that today, specifically a dream location known as Hawaii. And if you are somebody who know, maybe thinking about that dream, I've got, I've got a dream come true right here. She helps people plan their lives, simple Kona Beach weddings. It's so great to have our professional V you're back with us. Becky Ringler is on the program. How are you doing today, Becky?

I am fantastic, Steve, and I'm really excited to have a couple of mine from December, Christina and Joey here with us today. It's going to be really fun. I'm just, it's, yeah, it's going to be really fun.

They are Christina and Joey. Welcome, guys. How you doing?

Oh, wow. Thank you for having us.

Yeah.

Thanks for being here. And I love that this is, this is fairly fresh. We're talking in December when you got married. First of all, where are you guys from?

All from Chicago.

Got it. Okay, so you go searching. Well, even before we get to that, before you even did a search, before you found Becky online, what were you dreaming? What was your dream to get married? Like, what was, what was going through your minds?

Me to go.

I'll speak for myself, and maybe I'm also going to speak for Joey just a little bit. To be honest with you, I never really had an ideal dream of what I was looking for until we vacationed to Hawaii a couple of years ago. That was our first time going to Hawaii. And we like absolutely Steve like fell in love with the the island. We were like, oh my gosh, these kinds of places exist and it's in the United States. It was fantastic. And then uh as we got engaged and all that happened, then it started, this dream started manifesting itself

in regards to, gosh, do you remember how amazing it was? Because we always, every little thing, we'd we'd do something and be like, oh, my gosh, remember when we were in Hawaii and then they had this and they did that, that we, I think we started envisioning what our wedding could look like and what we wanted it to start looking like.

Hmm.

Did you?

Yeah, and as far as me, um, you know, in a very simple sense, I was interested in in a sandy beach wedding.

So I want to go even even deeper and get the specifics. What were some of the things that did it for you? Obviously, the beach, I get that, the palm trees, the tropical. Was it the culture? Was it the the landmarks? Was it just the vibe? What what was going on? What felt good for you?

It was a little bit of all of that, but just kind of all of the special memories we had there. There was just something about Hawaii when we first experienced it, you know, all the adventures that we had. It's just some of the experiences you can't really, I don't think we've ever really experienced. Joey and I travel quite a bit. Well, I'll start there. We will frequent, we've gone to Europe, we've gone to Asia, we've gone all across the US. There's just something magical about Hawaii that we really never experienced anywhere else. And I'm not just saying this because, well, we are obsessed, but um it was really just amazing. So it it was, what we wanted

to do is our family had obviously never been. We wanted to try to captivate that that moment that we had there and try to recreate it and have our families experience that. And so that was a big driver as to why we decided it has to be Hawaii, because there's something magical about this place that we just cannot explain in words. Everyone can say Hawaii is great for Beaches and it's so cultural rich and there's this population that is diverse and there's just beauty everywhere that you look and each island is but saying it and being in that environment are two vastly different things. I can't stress it enough. I can show you millions of pictures,

but until you've sat there, been there, experienced it, right? You're drinking on the beach. That's when you're really going to kind of feel this Hawaii lifestyle, this whole concept of like taking things a little like, you know, kind of taking a step back. Not, everything doesn't need to be going at millions of miles an hour. You don't have to do, you know, you don't have to, not that you don't have to work, but you know, that there's other things out there that are far bigger than than yourself in that moment. And I'll let you kind of add to it if you have anything.

Yeah, as I said before, um, my ideal was was a beach wedding and um, something unique that had happened in our experience was um, I had kind of got, you know, that stuck in my mind and um, both of us, we should mention, had never been to the big island um, prior to our wedding. So um, working with with Becky um, was somewhat of a leap of faith for us. Um, and one of the the greatest blessings among many was the fact that I went into it with this mentality of like, there's going to be this like white sand beach wedding. And Becky guaranteed

me that yes, some of these things do exist um, on the big island. Um, but the real beauty, you'll you'll kind of see for yourself when you get there. Um, and she really delivered on that. And it wasn't in what I had in my mind. It was actually in the the lava and the beauty of that uh, mixed with the ocean.

Wow, that leap of faith. And I find it interesting. You're from Chicago. So you're kind of in the center upper part of the United States. Now you could have pivoted over to the Caribbean. You got your beaches, you got your palm trees, you got the tropical vibe going on there. But, and I've been there like many times, worked in the Caribbean, all of that. But also I've been to Hawaii a number of times. So you went to the other side. So I get the magic and that vibe, that richness that comes from there. Take us to the beginning. So here it is. We're thinking Hawaii. I'm assuming that you did a search online and you found Becky, is that correct?

10%. We, uh, once we just established that, hey, we're going to do a beach wedding. We want it in Hawaii and we want to just have a small, family intimate setting. You're right. I, I went in overdrive and so I started Googling like anyone else does. And you just look for any and all. So you're on the not, you're on any website that comes up, any person that comes on. And I will tell you, Steve, I think I made, it felt like hundreds of phone calls of people. I sent out so many different emails saying, hey, this is what I'm looking for.

This is what I'm, um, and so before we had even met Becky, I think my husband and I had already jumped on maybe three or four other calls with other wedding planners before we had landed and finally met Becky. And if, if you're open to me elaborating a little bit more.

Sure.

What I really appreciated was, so we had gone on these calls and they, they spent, honestly, the majority of that first initial call, talking about all the wonderful services they can offer, right? So Steve, they're going on a litany of things that they can do. And some of them could do a ton, right? We could do it on this island. I could do this, that, this. Then they're showing me their portfolio and then it's about, oh, look at what this couple can do. Meanwhile, I see this man's eyes glazing over. He's like, what is going on? Like what is happening? And so on and so forth. And I'm sitting there like, at no point has this person ever asked us what we're looking for. They never got to know us.

They didn't really care to do anything, let alone the responsiveness, Steve, because... To my husband's point, we weren't going to go visit the island or visit these sites before. This was a full like, we're investing and trusting in you, as he says, a leap of faith into whomever we are choosing to work with. Meaning that like, I will never see this place with the week of when both of us show up. That'll be the first time we sees the, like, see this, the first time that we just kind of experienced this. So we really needed someone to be really good at communicating, just kind of upfront. So when we had met Becky, the, the difference between her and everyone else is the fact that she literally spent the first call

getting to know us, us as a couple, us as what we're looking for. Um, she, she really honestly didn't talk a ton about like, here's everything and kind of word vomit everything that she could do, even though we'd already looked at her website, we knew some of the things, we read all the testimonials. So we kind of knew her background. But it was, it was refreshing because it, it felt like she cared about us as humans. So when it comes back to the trust piece of like, we're putting our entire wedding in someone else's hand, having never met the person in real life, uh, in regards to like, you know, contact in that way. But, you know, it, it was, yeah. I would.

Just, just to double down on that, it was this hybrid, um, you know, utmost professionalism with a personal touch from the very beginning and clear and consistent communication with us. And those two things were mission critical for us to move forward. Becky established that very early on, so we felt pretty comfortable pretty quickly.

Hmm. Thank you for sharing that.

Thank you guys.

Like, we'll let Becky talk in a second. We're busy over here.

Okay, I'm, I'm, it's fun to, I have to say you guys, it's so nice to, thank you so much. That makes me so happy to hear, because that's really, um, it was so fun to get to know you. And to me, that's like the most important thing because it's not my wedding, it's your wedding, right? And so, um, yeah, that makes me really happy. So.

Did you, Christina and Joey, did you know right away, like you just, you just knew when you connected with her that, oh, okay, wait, this is feeling right. This is the way it should be. Did it feel like that?

I think the, after the first call, I think I was like, Joey, she's it. We have to go with her. Because even leading up to it, Steve, coming from like a business element too, there's something about like timeliness and communication, but also just like pre-work, post-work in a sense of like, man, every time you talk to Becky, not only would she have an email that she'd send before telling you just expectations, so you kind of knew what you were getting into, what we were gonna discuss or do things, but then even after the call, she had everything kind of like mapped out of like what we discussed, what the next action items are, what, and for someone that's like type A, love that kind of organization, it was like my dream come true.

So she had done that and I was just like, Joey, this is it. It's her. It has to be her. And then even after, there was, he had some questions, Joey had some questions about some things. And I just text Becky and she did, the fact that she just responded, she had it, she sent over pictures or whatever. I was just like, it, it has to be. I can't, I was like, I can't imagine this any other way.

Did it, did it feel like, from the get-go, you've got a friend who lives in Hawaii? And they're gonna help you along with your wedding. Did it feel like that?

Really, I, it did. I, I, I really, I mean, I was, not that Joey wasn't, he just had gone through so many, when I was like instantly like, oh, I'm obsessed with Becky. I really did feel like we were besties after it. And like, there's some history to, you know, where I know she has family in the East Coast. So it just, it, it really did. And it was just so, I don't know, comforting in knowing that like, we just, I had some, some similar similarities, some background things that we appreciated. The way that we communicated, it didn't feel like an interrogation or an interview. It really just felt like two people catching up after a long time, which seems

Weird because I had never met her, but it was, it just seems so natural. It was so, I really, I can't stress like there's that gut feel, just like you know that person, right? Oh, it's like, oh, Joey's my person and you feel that. You really, I just had this level of trust where I was like this, this, she's gonna make it happen. I can, I can feel it in my body that this is going to be it. And uh, I don't think we made a mistake at all.

Uh, Becky, what, what was it like for you? You know, those first initial conversations, the texts and everything? Um, walk us through that, that whole process.

Um, hang on one second, you guys. Oh my gosh. So you know, you all know I have a cat. And my cat, I thought she was inside. I had closed the office door. She's not. She was outside and now she's like, oh. Um, I'm going to tell you that in just a second, you guys. Please forgive me. I just need to let peeps out.

We, we can't hear her and she's welcome to the party too. I gotta bring my dog here tomorrow.

I don't know if she's gonna keep me on. Well, we'll stop. I, well, here, I'll just go and I, I don't know. I feel like, I don't know what she's doing. I guess she's going outside. Okay, good. Um, so anyway, no, it was just, I always feel like, you know, one of the, one of the best things and I, when I was talking with Christina and Joey, like for me, talking to the two of you was so easy. It was really, I loved how important it was for you to have your family have this beautiful experience in Hawaii. Like I know that was like the key thing. And even afterwards, you know, I know that Joey, you did have some questions. I think it was about the beaches because you had this dream in your head about what a beach would be like, right? And I always feel like, you know, I never mind those kinds of questions because I want, you know, like,

first of all, our beaches are how they are. So I can't change them or pretend that they're not going to be another way, but I also, I always welcome those kinds of questions like you had because I, I thought, well, uh, this gives you more information. Like obviously if you're like, no, it has to be this way and we don't have a beach that looks like that. And that's going to just be a deal breaker, then I would want you to know that. But I was pretty sure that once you saw them and once you were here, you would fall in love with the beaches, which made me also happy because I know it was like a, it's just, it is so beautiful here. But um, no, I didn't mind that at all. To me, that also made me feel like, okay, they're really serious about this and they just asked some questions and I want them to feel comfortable and to know that.

You know, I'm gonna be honest with them and I'm gonna take care of them and it's gonna be okay. So, yeah, I, it was fine. It's always fine. So, yeah.

For you Christina and Joey, what was different when, now you were there before on vacation. When it came to getting married there, the vision you had, how did it change? Like especially if you Joey, you're picturing, you know, White Sand Beach. Maybe it wasn't, I'm not saying it was bad. It was just different. What was different?

Yeah, I mean, so we, we met Becky right when we, or I think the day after we had arrived to view a couple of locations and

Profess, so Steve, just to correct you real quick, not to cut him off. We actually had never been to the Big Island. So when we had gone, we had only gone to Oahu.

Gotcha.

So when I tell you we've never been, we had no idea of expectations besides some of the pictures that Becky had sent over of the, of the different options that we had and what the island could look like. Then segue into our first experience. So when he says this, there's more gravity to what we were

Yeah, so we were coming into it with like an Oahu kind of Hawaii mentality. Or at least I was. I can't speak for Christina.

And Becky, you know, had explained to us like what the Big Island is like on all of our calls. And Christina was, was 100% committed. I was also 100% committed to Becky, but not the Big Island. And it largely had to do with, I had this idea in my wanted. But Becky just encouraged me and us really to, I mean, not really explicitly in a way of like, you need to trust me or anything like that, but just like reinforce just how beautiful it is. And, and you know, when you get there, you'll see it for yourself. And, and we loved Becky so much, at least that we just kind of took a leap of faith.

I'll say I took a leap of faith and, and when we got there and we saw

just what she meant and how beautiful it really is in its own way, in its own unique way. I felt like a fool, to be honest. I felt like, uh, you know, I, I felt like she, she was right and I just needed to have a little faith.

Well, you know, I'm gonna cut you some slack there. This is sort of, should be a once in a lifetime thing. You wanted to make sure it was perfect. You know, for you, your family, Christina. So it's like one little extra measure of, hmm, all right, well, it's, it's not exactly what I was picturing. But I think it's gonna be okay. Um, happily, it turned out that way. Is it time for pictures? Becky, can we take a look at?

Yeah, sure. You guys ready for some photos?

Yes.

Yes. All right. Awesome. Cause I've got your, I've got both albums up. And by the way, a little, did we look at both beaches or did we stop at the first beach? I can't remember.

Yeah, we, we did look at both.

Okay. Cause Joey was adamant about that.

Yeah. And usually, like I would say, nine times out of 10, people know which beach they want. They've chosen it, but occasionally, like Christina and Joey, they still were not a hundred percent sure. And so I had already gotten them a permit at one that has an exclusive permit. The other one was easy enough to get a permit if, if I needed to. It didn't have an exclusive permit, but they're both gorgeous beaches. So I took them to both because I feel like, you know, in this case, it was important. The other one had sort of more of the like long white strip of sand feel. And the one that they got married on is what I would call like our very quintessential Big Island beach. Um, and it just, and, uh, for those of you that have been watching the podcast, I have shown you pictures of this beach before, but it's always different because every couple is different. Every day is different.

Sunset's different. And, uh, these photos are so spectacular. So, um, okay, we're gonna start.

And I believe I know the beach you're talking about too. And every time I've seen it, it's been different. Angle of the sun, the cloud formation, uh, time of day, all of that. It could, the wind. It's always different.

Yeah, and um, and they did have a musician. So there's Ali'i singing and it was really, your family, by the way, was so adorable. Um, we have some great, so they're kind of walking down and you can see the, um, we have our little ring bearer here and you guys can talk to, anybody can talk to tell and we can talk about anything else. Um, they did have a flower girl, a niece, and here's Christina, you with your dad. This was the cutest thing. Your dad is adorable.

That bouquet was incredible. I, I literally couldn't have even dreamed up a better bouquet, which I appreciated you taking care of. That was fantastic. If, if people don't already know, but because you take care of all the flowers and everything, that bouquet, it gave you ideas of like the colors I thought I wanted, just some of the examples. And when you gave that to me, I was like absolutely speechless because I, I don't even think I could have imagined a bouquet as beautiful. That was, oh stunning. Um, so thank you.

Yeah, and my florist is a genius and you'll see better photos of the bouquet, everybody, um, as we go along. Um, but you know, the best thing is, you know, you gave me ideas and then I convey those ideas to my florist and she just knows how to make magic, which is really fun. Uh, so here's the way it's changed. Yay. And Stephen, you have any questions as you're going? Oh, go ahead Christina.

No, I really liked, I, so I, I knew you had mentioned you were gonna add the Hawaiian elements, which was really something that we were excited about. That conch shell, that was so impressive. That was so loud and so amazing. It was, it was really cool. I, uh, I didn't, I didn't see the picture of it come up. So I was like, oh, we missed that part of it, but it was really cool.

I think it's back here. Um, and if it's not there, there's one picture.

Yeah, that was fantastic. That was awesome.

I think the last blow is like right at your, right in the middle. Um.

Okay.

I was just like, dang, she's got lungs of, you know.

I used to play the French horn, so it makes it easier to.

There it is.

Now, did you both read your own vows? Cause it looks like you're on the phone. So did you do vows?

I had an important business meeting. No, I'm just kidding.

We definitely wrote our own vows, which also made it really special.

They were so cute. Your vows were adorable and they were on, by the way, this is a case in point. You may read your vows from your phone. A lot of people do today. You don't have to have it in a book or on a sheet of paper. But I always tell people like, it really doesn't matter if it's on a dirty napkin. I mean, hey, however you have it.

There'd be a story behind that, I'm sure.

What were you doing?

Um, yeah. And so there's these, cute. Yeah. Oh, and then afterwards, one of the big things they wanted to do was a father, daughter dance and a mother's dance.

Oh, my God. Can I just say? His mother was so surprised. So we didn't tell our parents that we were doing this. I mean, I have never seen, I mean, I've seen his mom cry on a kid, but she was like surprised, happy, like a late, like.

All right, wait, wait, wait, hold, hold everything here. What did you not tell his mom or parents? Like what, what that you were getting married or where was it gonna be?

No, no, no, about the first dance. So it was a complete shock to both my dad and his mom. So we had picked out the songs. And we just kind of pulled them out. So they were both kind of shocked. I won't say there was a lot of dancing happening. It was more waddling, uh, but it was just such a special moment. If you can kind of see her face in that, I guess that she was, she still talks about how amazing that moment was. And the musician was fantastic. It was, it was really cool just to have everyone and we all just kind of hung out and yeah.

Yeah. And, um, I think the families.

Or the parents at least, just they weren't expecting a dance, of course, because we were on the beach. Um, but once that musician came out, um, for Christina, they did My Way by Frank Sinatra.

Yeah.

And then, uh, I chose Landslide by Fleetwood Mac and the musician played it, um, phenomenally. So both of our parents were, were felt really good.

Wow.

And I'm gonna actually go through, we're gonna go, I'm gonna take you through the, there's a second gallery and then we're gonna get to the end photos here. But these are just a little, there are some really great ones in this particular, um, this particular gallery of also of, uh, that the dance. And also everybody waiting, it was really cute. Your families were adorable. So we'll just kind of go through, these are just additional, um, photos of right around the ceremony and right before and right after. Um, I love this picture. I just love, I love this little setting of the dress photo. I don't know why, but it's just such a great candid moment.

Hmm.

Uh, and a little more of the vows and such. And then I want to get to, um, the, there's a little more throwing. Oh, by the way, this picture, this is such an awesome photo.

Yeah, it was such a, we were like, gotta throw the rock as far as we can.

We high five pretty often. That's like a day, uh, activity for us. So that was par for the course right there.

Yeah, it's bound to happen.

And then, see, we got a little more of the dancing here. That's why I wanted to catch up on these photos as well. Um, look at her dad's face. I just love this, like, and Joey, you look so.

Amazing.

Did your mom know she was coming next? Joey?

Oh, um, both parents didn't, didn't know. Did, what's that?

Did you ever ask her, did she think or was she hoping that she'd get a dance too? Did you ever ask her that?

My mom is pretty traditional. Um, so, um, she never asked me anything, um, but she would have expected that at the very least, um. So I think it just took her by surprise because um I think some of those details got lost on her just with the fact that we're we're having a beach wedding, you know, and I don't think she knew really what to expect.

Wow, that's a that's an amazing picture with her looking up and that one too. Looking at you, Joey.

Yeah, I love this. Yeah. And look, your dad's watching. It's such a cute, cute photo. And then we've got, you know, just some nice and I'm going to switch back over to the other gallery for one second because we've got some just beautiful after after shots. And here's a really good, good view of your bouquet to Christina. And it was it was sort of a we had this amazing, you can sort of see the glow that there is. And then the just an amazing sunset, too.

You know what's interesting? I'm looking at these pictures. Some of them have that that glow from, you know, some clouds coming in filtering through the sun. But then there were some pictures where it was, you know, bright blue sky. So it's like a nice variation of everything going on there.

Yeah, and obviously like so the sun is behind them at this moment. So the sky, of course, around sunset will always look a little more white where the sun is before it sets. So it's just a it's like one of these beautiful things. And as we get going, because the sun is now you can see off to their left, it's about to set some just beautiful family photos and fun things to do. And by the way, like this special thing with the dances, that's not in every wedding occurrence, but it was really important to Christina and Joey. And my musician was like, yeah, no problem. We can work this out. So it was really, it was just really awesome.

We had plenty of time to do all the things that we needed and wanted to do and got all the nice family portraits in here, too.

So funny, too. I I don't know if you I think you did recognize, but but while we were getting our pictures taken, the latter ones, it's just Joey and I, my family, can I the number of pictures they were taking because that sunset was incredible. I can't even I mean, the pictures do it some justice, but it was so beautiful. The number of pictures that they were taking, I could see them from the distance. All of our family was like trying to take pictures of themselves and like all doing it was it was actually just really fun to watch. And they were like, we've never seen a sunset like that. So it was really kind of cool.

It's such like the sunset was spectacular. And like you say, you know, one of the things that's interesting is that when you are capturing so that behind to your point, Steve, behind here, obviously, the sky is blue. And it's it's always an interesting thing. So to get your faces and the sunset changes the sunset just a tiny bit, you know, when we do this and oh, and this is the end of this gallery. Come back over really quick to here and get some more. I think I'm on the second gallery over here. And let's just see, we can kind of pop through.

Yeah, I love that. That's one of the best things, by the way, is afterwards, when the romantic photos are happening with everybody, the rest of the guests end up taking selfies and portraits by the sunset. And like, it's just like a really joyous time to be able to, I love your dress, by the way, Christina, so beautiful. Um, yeah. And, and yeah, see, so Steve here, like the other side, the non sunset sunset side is

Yep.

Uh, blue skies and palm trees. And it's, um, what's so cool about this beach, too, is that there's the sand, the lava and the palm trees and just like all the, all the stuff to make it feel, and of course, the the air is perfect. December is a little cooler, right? So it was around, what would you say, like 75 maybe?

Thank you. Thank you both for powering through with 75 degrees. I know.

Yeah.

Look.

Maybe it was 80. I don't know. But Joey, you weren't sweaty, I don't think. Were you? So.

I think I was a little bit. So, yeah.

That's a lot of clothes for Hawaii.

Yeah.

Yeah. I think I asked you too, like, are you somebody who gets hot easily? Because like, if so, if that is the answer from someone, then I always say, hey, maybe look at, uh, something a little more casual, like a Hawaiian shirt or something with a button down short sleeve. But, um, if you're like Joey and some other groups that I've had where maybe you get a little hot, but you're not like. Like my husband likes to joke that he's Mr. Sweaty. You know, if you don't get, if you don't overheat too easily, then a suit, especially in the winter in Hawaii, you can totally, I would not recommend it for August or September here are so hot. Uh, for Hawaii, uh, not hot other places, but it can be a little bit of a, a roaster. So,

yeah.

Uh, it looks like you both lived three different days in one day.

Yeah.

With the sunset, you know, the, the filtered sky, the blue sky, these pictures are the, I got, I'm gonna say it. The best wedding pictures I think I've ever seen, and I really mean that. Like, it's just the, the warmth, the, just everything. It's just amazing. Wow.

That's really nice of you to say. Thank you.

Thank you.

Well, I'm gonna, okay, now I'm gonna be very personal here. I've been married twice. The first time I got married in Hawaii, I didn't have Becky. I made a mistake. I got married like connected to a resort, completely impersonal, when suggested, just saying, that's me. And then I got married in Barbados and that wasn't that long ago. It was in, you know, in the, you know, around 2000s, early, mid 2000s. But here's the deal. I just reached out to anybody, didn't really, you know, how bad can it be? It'll be fine. It'll be, but so it was okay. But when it comes to the pictures, the photographer there chose to use film. Some professional photographers today still do film and they'll do a combination of digital.

Let's her preference. A lot of the pictures had scratches on the negatives.

You know.

Yeah. And the lighting wasn't, you know, it is what it was. It's okay. You're fine. Nothing like that. So, and, and, you know, everything was okay, but it wasn't fantastic. This looks, all of it, from the pictures to everything, the experience, looks like it was fantastic. Like it really does. Um, but there's the difference and I'm, I'm being personal here. And it's not because I'm, I'm with Becky and you guys, but that's two different scenarios. Actually three, if you count yours, you know, of what can be. So you want to make sure that you make the right choice. That's where I'm going with that.

Yeah, it really is. And then, you know, what's really, you talk about the photographer, even those recommendations. To your point, it's so, it's so important because that really makes or breaks, right? What you, I always was like, oh, I don't mind spending more on a photographer, especially for a wedding, because that's what you have left, right? Are the pictures that you're gonna remember outside of the memory that you have. Um, so that was really important, but all those recommendations come from Becky, which was a thing that I loved, right? I couldn't imagine trying to source any of these things, so these people are tried and true. But she also, I mean, above, I mean, whether that's a part of people's job descriptions that are in the wedding industry or not, she went above and beyond in the sense of our family stayed extra.

She made recommendations and she has really great, just like, local knowledge as well. So I know we had done like a mini kind of welcome dinner for some of the family the first night we got there. It was at a place that she had recommended along the water. We also saw the sunset there, so great first place to be. She connected us with a, um, a gentleman who actually is from Chicago. Um, and he helped us plan, we did a manoray, um, dive. And we did some other things on the island. So it really, for me, it was just like Becky was the one stop shop in the sense of like, instead of just having her and she only handles wedding stuff and then everything else, you know, as my type A would have to do and plan and do things.

She made all of that just like twenty times easier by providing all these recommendations, these vendors and these people that she's worked with. So I didn't have to validate and have to read through reviews and look for the worst ones to be like, is this person actually good or are they just decent? And you never know when it comes to these things. So it was also just a, Becky, you really appreciate that because that really made a difference. There was not a single recommendation or a vendor or a person that you had put into our lives that, you know, didn't do above and beyond what I thought they would be able to do. So we really appreciate that because to your point, Steve, it's all about the experience and the memory. And that is something that's we're really big on.

And so we just wanted to make sure from start to finish, the moment they, they landed to the moment they left, that they Have this like awesome memory and unique experiences and we couldn't have done that because we had never been to that island if it wasn't for Becky's recommendations. We'd have sent them to, I don't even know, into a volcano.

Even some dude with the ukulele, that just shows the raw talent when he can do Frank Sinatra and Fleetwood Mac and, and it's good. It's like spot on.

Oh, it really was. It wasn't just like minor chords. It was, it was a sophisticated piece that he, he had played. Um, I mean, my mom was, as you saw in the pictures, I think she was, she was bawling her eyes out. Um, it was a really special moment.

Wow.

Yeah, he was actually, um, that musician Ali, we, we're really lucky. We, we used to live next door to this family of musicians and Ali was part of their band and he, you know, he teaches hula all over the world actually and he's a kumu, but he's, he was a, he's a Grammy nominated musician also. So he's just one of the musicians that I work with and, um, it's just very, I was just really glad that, um, he played, because usually when there are special requests, there are two guys and Ali's one of them who can take on the special request because they're such amazing musicians and I'm like, I'm not worried. Like you got it. I mean, none of the musicians are in that, uh, in their little group or, none of them

are bad. All of them are amazing musicians, but some can just like take on anything and I haven't a single worry about whether they can do it or not. So it's always really fun. So I'm so glad. That's so, I'm so glad to know also that your, your, your mom was, uh, yeah, that just makes me really happy too. Oh, my frozen, I guess I'm not.

Oh, you're back. Um, tell us about the ceremony. So something was thrown in the water. That was a rock, Becky. What was that?

Oh yeah, so I don't know if you guys saw here, I can bring up the photo again. Let me, um, I'll just pull it up from the, I'm gonna go back to the gallery really quick and then this will give a visual as well. Let me get out of here and I can scroll back up to, uh, I think we've got, yeah, okay, so, and I think, is it in here that we've got it? Yes. So, I always have my couples pick out a lava rock. Joey, did you pick this out? I think you picked it out because Christina was, um,

A nephew.

That's right.

To pick it. Yeah, so he, my god, my godson picked it up.

Yes.

Oh, go away. Oh, no, I, I'm sorry. I'm missing. So I thought that this was a, something that, uh, within your family was selected that rock?

Yeah, his family. So I always have the couple, unless they're super late and there isn't time, I always have the couple pick out the rock that we're gonna use during the ceremony. As you can see, the beach is very lava filled. There is no shortage of rocks on this particular beach. So in this case, because Joey's nephew was there and he wanted something to do, I think, it was pretty cool. And he, so he got the rock and Joey approved of the rock. So then I wrap it with a tea leaf and we use it during the idoos, uh, during the ido part of the ceremony. So they hold that during the idoos and I explain what that means to, to everybody while that's happening. Um, and basically it also holds and hears their vows of love. Um, and then I have them set it down in between their feet and I don't

know if that's, so it sits there in between their feet during the rest of the ceremony. And then afterwards, I have them take it and toss it.

Wow.

Into the ocean. Um, again, you cannot take lava off the island. It's bad luck. So I always have them throw the lava back. Unless they, unless the couple lives here, then they can take it home. But otherwise, we keep it on the beach, um, and I have them throw it into the ocean. And this was, the high five was right after this, I'm pretty sure, because they did a really good, did a really good.

Successful toss.

Yeah.

So, yes, okay, so that was a little segue from some of the parts of the ceremony. So, yeah, I don't know where we left off.

I love that, the fact that, you know, he was able to, he, you know, some kids might feel disconnected. They're not part of it for him to find it. I think that's super special. So he's got that bowl. And as I understand it, that's where the rings and there's also seawater in that as well.

Yeah, well, at this moment, there is no more, no more, I can go back to this other one though. There's, there's no more rings. Obviously, the ring exchange has happened. So we have that. I do the Hawaiian ring blessing during the ceremony here. So the seawater is there, there's a little Hawaiian ring blessing, and then there's the ring exchange. And then afterwards, they put that and they, they pour that into the ocean as well. So, yeah. And by the way, there's always the choice, depending on the wind, to flick the water or pour the water. And that is a couple choice, unless the wind is bad, in which case I never recommend flicking because it could come back into your face.

And I've seen it happen. And I've also seen the water, there was one time where a couple chose to flick the water and the photographer's like way down kind of in front of them and they got just drenched because the wind took the water and it just, it was, yeah, that was a, that did not happen this day. But, yeah.

Amazing. What stands out for both of you during the entire ceremony? You personally, you know, Christina, start with you. What was, what was the most meaningful, special part for you?

I, to be honest with you, I liked everything. So just that, that picture really just captures like it was really cool at one moment to be in this, this flowered heart on this beautiful island to see my husband in front of me, but then to turn and see like all my family and loved ones there in this like incredible background was really. surreal for me and what I really enjoyed too. Um, I'm not going to spoil some of the things that Becky does in the ceremony, but some of those Hawaiian elements and the, the message behind it and what they mean. And why she did some of the things that she did or said and kind of explained. It really kind of, uh, I don't know, pulled up at my heartstrings a little bit. It's kind of.

A good thing that me and Joey still talk about and kind of enjoy and loved. That it was a part of our thing as well as that was. The first time, cause we had written vows too. The first time I actually got to hear, um. His vows and mine, we didn't, um, share them beforehand or do anything. So just to hear those for the first time as well. I think, as you saw, I like. Bald my, bald my eyes out. Um. So it was just a culmination of, of that, right? I just, it was everything about that, like specific moment. It just really felt like, and not that there was, it just felt like we had rented this entire space out.

That it was just my family and Joey and Becky just there. And that we were just in this weird world where no one else was there and it was just our own thing. I, I can't even. Yeah, really describe that kind of feeling of, I just felt like this was like one in a million. No one else is here right now. No one is. In this and we're just in our bubble of like happiness and celebration. And I'm going to tear because it was like. Um, but yeah, so that, that was probably, I know it's a lot of things, but it's the culmination of everything and in that environment that I enjoyed.

Yeah. Um, there's no single, uh, thing for me that I, I can say, um, it really was. The culmination of, of all of those elements. It was, you know. We use the word magical when we describe this experience. It, it really did have an element of, of magic. Um, that was so palpable. And to Christina's point, um. It just felt like it was just us there, uh, with our loved ones, sharing in that moment. Um. For me, there's two things that, that stuck out. Um, I would say, uh, one would be the vows. Um.

You know, uh, I, I, I think I blacked out while I was reading the vows. Um.

So it was just a really special moment and really meaningful. And then, you know, we mentioned the music already, but also you saw a picture of me standing sort of facing the ocean, waiting for Christina and her dad to process. That was really special to the moment that I that I turned and saw them.

Fantastic. I gotta tell you, I could never be a professional wedding officiant. I would cry. I would cry at every single wedding. I couldn't handle it. I'm serious.

I know. Oh, you too.

Becky, how do you do? How do you not cry?

Um, you know, it is one of those things where, um, so years ago, I think, well, I don't know if Christina and Joey know this, but I used to be a professional actress and one of the things that we learned, and also, of course, I was a therapist. So there's something about holding the space that feels really important. Very occasionally I do cry. There are sometimes there are things where I've had some couples where someone is uh, gonna be like they're they're dying or something. I mean, it's like really like you can't help it. Like everyone's crying. It's just like, uh, you know, it's almost impossible. But in moments of joy, like full of joy, I feel like it's my job to just hold that space so that all the joy can be felt.

And I do tear up a lot of times and I do laugh and I do, you know, feel all the feeling. But I feel if anything, that my job is the ultimate space holder, right? To hold the whole experience so that everybody can be present and feel all the feelings and feel like it's safe to just be there in the moment and express. And so, and it brings me such joy because I get to be like, I I always joke that I wish I could have. And now, of course, they've got like these uh, these meta glasses or something. But I wish that I could have a camera like on my face because I feel like I also get the best. Like I'm like, I wish I had a camera. Like half the time I'm like, oh my God, the light's so beautiful on so and so's face.

Like I wish I could be recording this. Like someday we'll have like a, you know, contact lenses that will take photos or whatever, where it won't be so obvious. But, um, you know, I I wish, to me, that would be like the ultimate, where I could take a video and do a ceremony. So I don't have to think about it. But, um. I feel like my, my, my job in that moment is, um, is really space holder and I have to, um, I can feel all the feelings while at the same time, um, that was one of the things that I learned a long time as an actress is that if you, if you cry and you fall apart, you miss the tension or you miss the moment or people can't feel what they need to feel. And so it was a, and of course as a therapist, you learn a lot about that too. And so it's, it's like

the greatest joy in the world to be able to hold that space for all so much joy. Like, yeah.

Look at all the elements that you bring to the table with this. So empathy as a therapist, then actress, the production, this is a production, let's admit it. That's what we got going on here. And a lot of other things that you revealed, even on the art side of things, um, it all kind of comes together. Uh, before we run out of time, Christina and Joey, tell us what other, some of the other things you did when you were on Hawaii, either before you got married or after, you know, the manta rays you swam with, it sounded like, what are some of the other things you did that were fun?

Uh, we went to Black Sand Beach on, on the big island. That was, uh, yeah, incredible. Um, and then Becky also, uh, as Christina mentioned, connected us with one of her resources, um, who, um, pointed us, let me take a step back. Uh, our honeymoon was also on the islands. So we were traveling to the other, some of the other islands while we were there. Um, and one of her resources recommended the, um,

Helicopter.

helicopter tour, excuse me, uh, helicopter tour over Kauai. Um, and we gave that as a gift to each other. Um, and it was one of our favorite experiences of, of our honeymoon. So.

Waterfalls, did you see waterfalls too?

Oh, it was, I mean, incredible. I mean, waterfalls coming out of like sides of rocks, so much green. I, I forgot what that looked like. It was, I mean, you saw what looked like a Grand Canyon in one element and you turn the corner and all of a sudden it's just this lush green area. Then you turn and you're looking at the Nepali coastline and it's just this be beautiful blue. I mean, it was outrageous. It was probably the best decision we had ever because we were like, whoa, do we do this? And then, you know, with all the helicopter stuff, we're like, but it was, it was incredible.

We we loved, uh, we loved all the islands, of course, but, uh, Kona, or I'm sorry, uh, Hawaii, uh, the big island is very special to us. Um, you know, for many of the reasons we've discussed, but, um, it one big takeaway is that people need to visit the big island. Um, you know, it doesn't get talked about enough, um, between Oahu and Maui, maybe, um, but there's just something really special there, um, that we've both experienced.

Love it. You know, I think the the best decision you both ever made, not just to get married, not just to have Becky do the ceremony and plan everything, you left Chicago in December.

Exactly. Hundred and twenty percent.

Oh, well, I can't like when you said, Christina, you said, you know, said lush and all of that. I'm just picturing Chicago. Wasn't that at that time?

We missed, I think there was actually, it it got pretty cold and we missed this like really big cold front while we were in Hawaii and we're like, yeah, this is great.

The day before we left, it was nine degrees. So we were leaving from single digit weather.

Yep.

Yeah, they got married, um, right, very close to Christmas. It was the day before Matt and I'd left for our winter vacation. And in fact, that was a big thing. Um, little side note, ideally, um, they wanted to get married on the Saturday and, uh, originally I thought that was, uh, I thought that was the Sunday, but that's the day we were leaving. And so we worked it out and luckily Joey was able to get a little day, uh, like extra off because he's a teacher. Uh, they were able to give him that time and, uh, we did it on a Friday and it was the night before Matt and I left and it was like the best way to end our year. Uh, you were our last winning of the year and it was really special. So, yeah.

Wow. Um, Christina and Joey, what's your advice for other couples thinking about doing something in paradise? Maybe they haven't, haven't really thought or processed Hawaii yet. It's on their radar. They haven't. What would you tell them?

I would say just do it.

I'm more of the the actions just I would just do it. I can't stress there's just nothing like it. There's no way that anything I can say, maybe there is, but there's I don't think there's not enough nearly enough things I could say to really showcase the beauty and all the rich history and the culture and all the wonderfulness of the island that if you're thinking about it, I say just do it. I promise you, you will not regret it is the comment I'll leave it on.

Yeah, and and I'll just say, um, you know, we had truly a magical experience. Um, it's something that we hold and, you know, we're really grateful. We we found Becky along the way.

Hmm. Best wedding picture ever.

Um, so somebody's thinking about it, Becky, they just go to your website, Simple Kona Beach Weddings. What's what happens from there?

Um, so then I recommend you fill out the form and I will set up a I'll send you an email with a link to my Zoom and we'll set up that first call, just like Joy and Christina got. We'll be able to I'll take the time to really get to know you and hear what you want and we'll just take it from there. So, yeah, I'm really and you too. Thank you so much for being here today. It was so much fun. It was so much fun to relive your wedding also with you. It's really great.

For us.

That was fun to do. We enjoyed it. Thank you.

Thank you for being here as well. I feel with what you shared, the stories, all of that and the pictures, I honestly feel like I was there. It's the weirdest thing. I've never felt that before, but it just feels that way. Um, that we were a part of it. So thank you for sharing. Thank you. Thank you both for being here and Becky as well. I really appreciate it.

Thank you for having us.

Thanks. We'll be right back.

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